Q. Why did Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothes while he was dying?
A. It is not commonly known, but Jesus was NOT a poor, wretched beggar. He worked with his father (step-father) Joseph in the family carpentry business, and continued that work as he grew older. He was referred to as the "carpenter's son" and the "carpenter." (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3)
That profession would equate today with someone who was a building contractor and therefore He would have been fairly well off financially.
As one who "did no sin", he would have kept all the laws of health perfectly, and therefore, would keep bathed and clean. His clothing would have been the best he could afford, and therefore NOT beggar's rags.
That is the reason his garments were shared among the soldiers, but for the coat they "cast lots" to see who would have it completely because they didn't want to divide such an expensive garment.
It was fit for a king. As a matter of fact it had been given to him by a king. Let's take a look at the following scriptures:
"When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
"And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. " (Luke 23:6-25)
The robe had been put on him to shame him, for it's color was the color of sin. We would call it red but it was a crimson-purple color dyed with very expensive dyes of the time. The color is called 'purple' and 'scarlet' in the scriptures. Please note:
"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! " (John 19:1-5)
"And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him." (Matthew 27:28-31)
Later, as Jesus was hanging upon the cross (or more exactly translated from the Greek word σταυρός, Stauros which means 'stake') the soldiers divided his garments, and cast lots for the magnificent coat.
"Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did." (John 19:23-24)
Yes, Jesus was totally shamed, being crucified with thieves and malefactors, beaten and spat upon, whipped with a cat-of-nine tails until he resembled a piece of hamburger meat, and then hung naked upon a "tree" just as common criminals and murderers were hanged.
The scriptures give us a prophecy of what Jesus was going to have to go through in:
"They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture " (Psalms 22:13-18)
Yes, our Savior spent many hours of shame, degradation, pain, sorrow and then death, paying the eternal price for OUR SINS!!
Have you really considered the PRICE with which we have been bought?
How can we not be a BOND SLAVE to Jesus the Christ?
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